Portable air cooling device

ABSTRACT

The present application describes a portable cooling device configured to regulate the temperature of an airflow through the use of one or more saturated pads. The device includes a fan unit configured to generate the airflow. A water storage unit is used to store a volume of water that is pumped into communication with the one or more pads. A power supply is provided to provide electrical power to operate the device. The pads are used to pre-cool the airflow prior to reaching the fan.

BACKGROUND 1. Field of the Invention

The present application relates generally to a cooling device, and inparticular to a portable cooling device that incorporates evaporativecooling methods to generate a reduced temperature airflow.

2. Description of Related Art

Individuals outside are susceptible to the effects of heat. Many typesof methods are used to provide a cooling effect on the body. The bodyitself sweats which causes an evaporative cooling effect on the skin inan attempt to naturally cool the body. Similar types of efforts are usedand generated over time. Manually operated fans are used to generate amanufactured breeze that cools the body. This is especially helpfulwhere the ambient air is stagnant.

Other advancements have been made using electronically controlleddevices. These devices often incorporate a motorized fan with a mistingdevice used to spray a portion of liquid into the airflow. The water isused to cool the air. In operation, a user fills a container with waterand manually pumps the water through a tube for dispersion as a mist.The spray is placed into the stream resulting on cooling of the airafter the air passes through the fan. A motor is used to operate thefan. A disadvantage of these systems is that the airflow contains alarge amount of moisture which saturates and collects onto theindividual. Additionally, manual operation of the misting unit isneeded. Traditionally, these units are basic in nature without muchelectrical technology.

It is desired that a system be developed that reduces the temperature ofthe air prior to passing through the fan and reduces the amount ofmoisture within the air. Although strides have been made, considerableshortcomings remain.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The novel features believed characteristic of the application are setforth in the appended claims. However, the application itself, as wellas a preferred mode of use, and further objectives and advantagesthereof, will best be understood by reference to the following detaileddescription when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings,wherein:

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a portable air cooling device according toan embodiment of the present application.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of the portablecooling device of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is an alternative perspective view of the portable air coolingdevice of FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is an alternative perspective view of the portable air coolingdevice of FIG. 2.

FIG. 5 is a cross section of the alternative perspective view of theportable air cooling device of FIG. 4.

FIG. 6 is an alternative embodiment of the portable air cooling deviceof FIG. 1.

While the device and method of the present application is susceptible tovarious modifications and alternative forms, specific embodimentsthereof have been shown by way of example in the drawings and are hereindescribed in detail. It should be understood, however, that thedescription herein of specific embodiments is not intended to limit theapplication to the particular embodiment disclosed, but on the contrary,the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, andalternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the process of thepresent application as defined by the appended claims.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Illustrative embodiments of the preferred embodiment are describedbelow. In the interest of clarity, not all features of an actualimplementation are described in this specification. It will of course beappreciated that in the development of any such actual embodiment,numerous implementation-specific decisions must be made to achieve thedeveloper's specific goals, such as compliance with system-related andbusiness-related constraints, which will vary from one implementation toanother. Moreover, it will be appreciated that such a development effortmight be complex and time-consuming but would nevertheless be a routineundertaking for those of ordinary skill in the art having the benefit ofthis disclosure.

In the specification, reference may be made to the spatial relationshipsbetween various components and to the spatial orientation of variousaspects of components as the devices are depicted in the attacheddrawings. However, as will be recognized by those skilled in the artafter a complete reading of the present application, the devices,members, apparatuses, etc. described herein may be positioned in anydesired orientation. Thus, the use of terms to describe a spatialrelationship between various components or to describe the spatialorientation of aspects of such components should be understood todescribe a relative relationship between the components or a spatialorientation of aspects of such components, respectively, as the devicedescribed herein may be oriented in any desired direction.

The system in accordance with the present application overcomes one ormore of the above-discussed problems commonly associated with existingmethods and devices used to generate a cooling effect upon the body.Specifically, the device of the present application is configured to usea humidifying effect to pre cool air prior to passing through a fanunit. Water is used to saturate one or more pads. The device is fullyportable and able to be carried by an individual. The device is fullycompatible with various charging devices and methods to allow forcontinuous use. These and other unique features of the system arediscussed below and illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

The system will be understood, both as to its structure and operation,from the accompanying drawings, taken in conjunction with theaccompanying description. Several embodiments of the assembly arepresented herein. It should be understood that various components,parts, and features of the different embodiments may be combinedtogether and/or interchanged with one another, all of which are withinthe scope of the present application, even though not all variations andparticular embodiments are shown in the drawings. It should also beunderstood that the mixing and matching of features, elements, and/orfunctions between various embodiments is expressly contemplated hereinso that one of ordinary skill in the art would appreciate from thisdisclosure that the features, elements, and/or functions of oneembodiment may be incorporated into another embodiment as appropriate,unless otherwise described.

The system of the present application includes a fan unit configured togenerate an airflow. A pump is used to transport water from a storagecontainer to one or more pads. Air is pulled by the fan unit through thesaturated pads to lower the temperature of the air. Air is then fedthrough the fan unit and through a flexible duct. The duct is flexibleto permit the selective directing of the airflow. These and other uniquefeatures of the system and method are described herein below.

Referring now to the figures wherein like reference characters identifycorresponding or similar elements in form and function throughout theseveral views. Referring now to FIG. 1 in the drawings, a block diagramof a portable air cooling device according to an embodiment of thepresent application is illustrated. Portable air cooling device 101includes a single portable unit composed of a plurality of sub units. Inparticular, device 101 includes a power supply 103, a water storage unit105, an intake unit 107, a fan unit 109, and a duct 111. Each isdetachable from the other respective elements. Together, they providefor the selective production of a cooled airflow within a fullytransportable single unit.

Referring now also to FIGS. 2-5 in the drawings, various perspectiveviews of device 101 is illustrated. Fan unit 109 is configured togenerate an airflow by rotating fan 113. Fan unit 109 includes a shroudto fully surround fan 113. Fan 113 may be operable at a plurality ofspeed settings as desired by the user.

Intake unit 107 is coupled to fan unit 109 beneath fan 113, and isconfigured to locate one or more pads 115 adjacent to one or more inlets117. Inlets 117 are equally spaced around the perimeter of intake unit107. The particular shape and size of inlets 117 are not limited to thatdepicted. Pads 115 are located internally within intake unit 107 suchthat air pulled into intake unit 107 from fan 113 are designed to passthrough pads 115 and into fan unit 109. The connection between intakeunit 107 and fan unit 109 is sealed to eliminate undesired leakage.

As seen in FIG. 5, a section view of device 101 is illustrated. Airflowis pulled through inlet 117. In order to regulate the temperature of theairflow prior to passing through fan 113, pads 115 are saturated withwater. Water storage unit 105 is a container configured to store avolume of water 118. Unit 105 is sealingly coupled to intake unit 107.Unit 105 may be detached to permit the insertion or removal of water118.

Unit 105 includes a pump 119 in communication with the water andconfigured to transport the water from unit 105 to intake unit 107. Thewater is dispersed within intake unit 107 so as to saturate pads 115.Pads 115 are configured to receive the water from pump 119 and absorb aportion of the water. Pump 119 is any type of pump and may be eithersubmerged into water 118 or may be external to the volume of water 118.Pump 119 is configured to regulate the flow rate of water to intake unit107. The flow rate may be increased or decreased upon the desire of theoperator or may be electronically adjusted and regulated by pump 119.

A hose 121 is located between pump 119 and a port 123. Water 118 ispumped through hose 121 and exits port 123 to saturate pads 115. Ports123 are selectively located adjacent pads 115 to allow water 118 to fall(via gravity) through pads 115. Ports 123 are sized to appropriatelyregulate the amount of water permitted to pass. It is preferred thatports 123 are designed to permit an equal flow rate. It is understoodthat the flow rate of water through ports 123 may be varied andadjustable.

It is further understood that pads 115 may reach a maximum saturationpoint wherein excess water is forced out or escapes pads 115. Such wateris collected within intake unit 107. Intake unit 107 and unit 105 arecollectively configured to include a drain passage valve 125 configuredto allow passage of the water to return back into unit 105. Valve 125may be a one-way valve configured to permit passage of wateruni-directionally into unit 105. This prevents water 118 from escapingunit 105 and spilling into intake unit 107. This also prevents water 118from exiting out inlet 117. It is understood that valve 125 is optional.Valve 125 may be replaced by a single unobstructed passage.

Airflow is pushed out from fan unit 109 and into duct 111. Duct 111 isconfigured to enclose the airflow and selectively route it to one ormore locations prior to the discharging of the airflow into the ambientair. Duct 111 is coupled to fan unit 109 and in particular to theshroud. Duct 111 is detachable and interchangeable. Duct 111 isconfigured to be flexible to accept placement by a user. The user beingable to manipulate and set the routing of duct 111 and then have duct111 maintain that positioning when released by the user. Sequentialribbing (i.e. similar to an accordion) may be used. An insulative layer127 may also be included to diminish heat gain from the ambient air. Anozzle 129 may be located at a distal end of duct 111 to help regulatedirection and speed of the airflow from duct 111.

Power supply 103 is in electrical communication with at least pump 119and fan 113. Power supply 103 is configured to provide electrical powerto operate both. Operation of both may be done simultaneously orindependently from each other. This allows fan 113 to rotate and pump119 to be off. This may occur where pads 115 are fully saturated andpump 119 is not needed. Regulating the operation of each independentlyhelps to conserve power. This regulation of operation may be done by theuser via a control unit 131 or automatically. For example, pump 119 maybe set to operate for set durations of time followed by a subsequent offperiod. The length of each period of time may be adjusted by the user.

Control unit 131 includes one or more functional user interactivedevices 133 configured to regulate the various functions of device 101.Among these functions are at least the following: the speed andoperation of fan 113 and the operation and frequency of pump 119.Devices 133 may be manually operated switches or digital display units.

Power supply 103 is composed of one or more electrical storage devices(i.e. batteries) to permit the selective and slow release of electricalpower. Power supply 103 is configured to be rechargeable. Power supply103 may further include a charging port 135 configured to mate with oneor more types of electrical connectors used to pass electrical power.Charging port 135 may be a universal serial bus port or other connector.For example, charging port 135 may be configured to receive power via aplugged wall outlet, a car charger through a lighter, any motion drivencharging device, or any other type of device configured to generate ortransmit a charge.

A particular feature of device 101 is the ability for device 101 tofunction fully as described while charging. This allows device 101 tooperate indefinitely. The portability of device 101 allows it to travelwith the user and be operable during most ordinary activities. The sizeis compact, ideally no bigger than a water bottle. Device 101 includes abase 137 configured to provide a suitable and stable footing on restingsurfaces. The size and shape of device 101 is uniquely adapted forapplication with single occupant apparatuses or embodiments, such asstrollers, back packs, bicycle trailers , heavy equipment , mowers bothriding and push, and Golf carts for example. Additionally, device 101may be located and transported within strollers and backpacks. It isimportant to keep in mind that duct 111 may be any length and can beused by a user to provide temperature regulated air to any part of thebody during multiple activities.

It should be understood that the particular embodiment of device 101 isnot meant to be herein limiting. It is known that other types ofconfigurations for each unit and element are possible. It is importantthat the air is pre-cooled through one or more saturated pads 115 priorto reaching fan 113. An infinite number of water delivery methods beyondpump 119 are possible. Additionally, duct 117 is merely representedherein for exemplary purposes. The size and portability are of note toallow device 101 to function in a vast number of activities. The sizeallows it to be carried in multiple ways, such as in a backpack,shoulder bag, pouch, or even strapped to a portion of the human body.

Referring now also to FIG. 6 in the drawings, an alternative view ofdevice 101 is illustrated. Device 201 is similar in form and function tothat of device 101 except as herein noted. A particular distinction withthis embodiment is the use of a solid frozen material 218 to providemore extreme cooling effects. Whereas in device 101, liquid water wasthe sole cooling medium, within device 201 the liquid water is alsosupplemented by frozen material 218. The frozen material would mostlikely be frozen water (i.e. ice cubes) but is not herein limited tosuch. Fan unit 109 may be opened to insert material 218.

It is understood that material 218 may be incorporated into device 101wherein the material 218 would only reside within intake unit 107. Inorder to expand the volume of material 218 that can be carried, intake107 and unit 105 are replaced by body 207 which is configured to be asingular body with a large central chamber. Pads 115 and pump 119 wouldcontinue to operate in similar manners to that of device 101. Anadvantage of body 207 is that more material 218 may be stored.

Use of ice within device 201 and/or device 101 permits a dual stagecooling effect upon the air drawn into the device. Firstly the air ispassed through pads 115 which may be saturated, thereby releasing heatthrough the moisture therein. Secondly the air passes through material218 to further chill the air. Where ice is at least partially used asmaterial 218, as the ice melts the water would then collect at thebottom of body 207 and may be pumped through pump 119 to saturate pads115. This water is maintained near freezing temperatures from unthawedmaterial 218. Both water 118 and material 218 may coexist within device101 and 201.

It is realized that device 101 may also be used with material 101 suchthat the threaded communication between intake unit 107 and unit 105 maycontinue to exist, just wherein material 218 would need to be added toeach section individually. Furthermore, the dual stage cooling effectupon the air may be realized by both embodiments as well. It is worthmentioning that both device 101 and 201 are also configured wherein theair is pulled by fan 113 to pass through pads 115 and then pushed outthrough duct 111. The precise location of pads 115 and fan 113 are notcrucially important. The locations of such may be swapped wherein fan113 may pull air into the device and push it through pads 115 andfurthermore into duct 111.

The current application has many advantages over the prior art includingat least the following: (1) dual stage cooling effect upon the air; (2)reduced water saturated airflow; (3) avoidance of misting systems; (4)compact size and common shape to permit maximum use; and (5) ability tocharge and operate with an infinite number of electrical devices.

The particular embodiments disclosed above are illustrative only, as theapplication may be modified and practiced in different but equivalentmanners apparent to those skilled in the art having the benefit of theteachings herein. It is therefore evident that the particularembodiments disclosed above may be altered or modified, and all suchvariations are considered within the scope and spirit of theapplication. Accordingly, the protection sought herein is as set forthin the description. It is apparent that an application with significantadvantages has been described and illustrated. Although the presentapplication is shown in a limited number of forms, it is not limited tojust these forms, but is amenable to various changes and modificationswithout departing from the spirit thereof.

What is claimed is:
 1. A cooling device, comprising: a fan unitconfigured to generate an airflow; a water storage unit configured tostore a volume of water; a pump in communication with the water storageunit and configured to transport the water; a pad configured to receivethe water from the pump, the water configured to saturate the pad; and apower supply configured to provide electrical power to operate the pumpand the fan unit; wherein the saturated pad pre cools the airflow priorto discharging.
 2. The device of claim 1, wherein the fan unit includesa fan operable at a plurality of speeds.
 3. The device of claim 1,wherein the fan unit is fully contained within a shroud.
 4. The deviceof claim 3, further comprising: an enclosed duct in communication withthe shroud and configured to permit the selective directing of airflow.5. The device of claim 4, wherein the duct is detachable from theshroud.
 6. The device of claim 4, wherein the duct is flexible toselectively allow for the manipulation of its orientation.
 7. The deviceof claim 4, wherein the duct is insulated.
 8. The device of claim 1,wherein the pump supplies the water through one or more ports tosaturate the pad.
 9. The device of claim 1, wherein water exiting thepads is passed into the water storage unit.
 10. The device of claim 9,further comprising: a one-way valve configured to regulate the directionof water passage from the water exiting the saturated pad and enteringthe water storage unit.
 11. The device of claim 1, wherein the fan unitand the pump are configured to operate independent of each other. 12.The device of claim 1, further comprising: a charging port configured tosupply electrical power to the power supply.
 13. The device of claim 12,wherein the charging port is configured to accept electrical power whilethe fan unit and pump are operating.
 14. The device of claim 1, furthercomprising: a control unit configured to selectively regulate thedistribution of electrical power through the power supply and to each ofthe fan unit and the pump.
 15. The device of claim 14, wherein the fanunit and the pump are configured to operate independent of each other.16. The device of claim 1, wherein the water storage unit is detachablefrom the saturated pads.
 17. The device of claim 1, wherein the fan unitand the water storage unit are in communication with each other to forma portable and personal cooling device.
 18. A cooling device,comprising: a fan unit configured to generate an airflow; a main bodyconfigured to store a volume of water, the main body in communicationwith the fan unit, the fan unit closing the main body; a pump incommunication with the main body and configured to transport the water;a pad configured to receive the water from the pump, the waterconfigured to saturate the pad; and a power supply configured to provideelectrical power to operate the pump and the fan unit; wherein thesaturated pad pre cools the airflow prior to passing through a duct. 19.The device of claim 18, wherein the water is at least one of a solid anda liquid.
 20. The device of claim 18, wherein the air is subjected to adual stage cooling process first through the saturated pad and second bybeing passed adjacent to frozen material.